The Peña Prodigiosa celebrates its 15th anniversary. Considered by experts and a considerable part of the people from Las Tunas as the most healthy and attractive cultural activity that can be visited, without fear of a discussion or respect among those who attend this beautiful event.
It was conceived at Ana Ibis González home, one of its conductors, on the occasion of the visit of her brother Vladimir, in December 2007; and the enjoyment of a video of KC and The Sunshine Band in a New York living room provided by Gabriel Valenzuela, another of its creators. Tereza Salgado, Jorge Luis Smith, an irreplaceable presenter, and I were there, listening to that contagious music; then I told them "How much fun we would have if we had a Disco like that."
Jorge said, "Maybe it wouldn't be as great as that one, but we could find a place to dance and share as they do." Some of our friends were already meeting informally for that purpose; at that time we talked to Marina Lourdes Jacobo, then director of the Huellas Cultural Center, today president of the Union of Artists and Writers (UNEAC), in the province, and we agreed to hold a peña in that cozy place, on the second Friday of each month with the following initial sections: the Introductory Clip, Video Surprise, Ephemeris, Who is and who sings, Prodigious Guest and the Gozadera.
To tell the truth, 15 years ago we did not think of the educational and aesthetic richness that this project could generate. However, dreams, demands, nostalgia, and the passing of the years were more comprehensive than that simple principle that marked its birth; yes, the most exquisite music of the so-called prodigious era was never missing.
Thus, together with Sandra Martínez, María del Pilar de la Rosa, and the new-comer Pedro Ariel Quintana, who also formed the Executive to prepare them, with the corresponding specialists in all the fine arts: dance, literature, theater, cinema, plastic arts, sculpture and architecture together with music, we developed the Peñas; to entertain us in that magical space that subjugates and, without noticing it, contributes and beats in the formation of an artistic taste, of a decorous behavior and human sensitivity, so necessary for these harsh times.
The Peña Prodigiosa has led to the creation of the Club de Amigos, which has made donations to vulnerable groups, visits to homes of children without family support, and historical sites, both inside and outside the province. It has a philosophy of deep identity, and human and patriotic character, which considers Cubans above their religious creeds, economic position, skin color, age, and sexual orientation. Together with La Peña, the members of this Club have developed cultural activities with young people, beekeeping workers, academics, transport workers, educators, and communicators, among other segments or social groups.
There was a time when it was very difficult to get a ticket to enjoy it; some fellow citizens took turns on Thursday night to Friday to buy tickets at the Cine Teatro Tunas, and witness what many called "the activity that has two shows, the first in Huellas and the other on the benches behind the church after one o'clock before noon to recreate us, very healthy and full of joy, in a sacred space for the Tunas, the Vicente García Park."
More than 130 local Prodigious Guests, from other provinces and internationally have shared our almost 20 stages, in a sort of pilgrim Peña, even though Huel-las is our native home. The opportunity to share with personalities of science, medicine, housewives, retirees, workers of different trades, academics, students, in addition to artists representative of all manifestations already mentioned, from the statement of many of our regular visitors, has meant the most sublime and enriching experience -ethical and aesthetic- that has given them the culture in our homeland.
In this sense, the defense of the Master's Degree "La Peña Prodigiosa, contribution to the culture of Las Tunas," by Gabriel Valenzuela and the approval of his Doctorate on the contributions to the artistic and educational development, also give an account of the academic and scientific dimension of this valuable space in the society of Las Tunas.
Such recognition is reason and duty to continue this mission that in the intimacy of its preparation has not ceased to breathe hope, suffer to tears, and love peace, freedom, and love as the original bastions of this cultural institution. To congratulate the Peña Prodigiosa on its coming of age is to recognize the worth of thousands of compatriots who choose to rejoice the soul, crown optimism, and raise their voices in defense of our identity, expressing with José Martí that "music is the most beautiful form of beauty."
